A study has shown that France is placed at the bottom of the Western ranking for mathematics and science, in CM1 and 4e classes. Terrifying scores which show a noticeable deficit in the learning of these subjects.
Mathematics and Science. National enemies number 1. We all knew the hellish math and science lessons in our early childhood. In these subjects, it's often double or double, there are no half-measures. Either we manage to understand, or we do not understand anything. Most often, students drop out when letters start to impose themselves in the calculations (what an idea too…). Unfortunately, the failure of these subjects among schoolchildren / students is not just in jokes: it is very real.
A study has shown that France ranks very low in the table of level in mathematics and science in the world. According to the TIMSS ranking (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) dating from 2019 and published on Tuesday, December 8, 2018, France is one of the last. Since 1995 and every four years, the TIMSS has been calculating the level of CM1 and 4e students in the countries of the European Union and the OECD.
France ranked last in the European Union in mathematics
With a score of 485 points, France is well below the European average for CM1 classes, and notably ranks last among EU countries. In the table, it is even the penultimate place in the Western ranking.
Regarding the 4th grade, France is second to last in the EU, with a total of 483 points. A very low score which shows a notorious flaw in the learning of mathematics.
France only takes 2% of its students to the advanced level in mathematics, compared to an average of 11% in European countries. A fourth grader today has the level of a fifth in 1995. In 25 years, the standard has dropped by one grade.
French students do well in the fields of statistics and probability as well as geometry. The latter obtains very good results in the CM1 and 4e classes.
A poor ranking in science
The sciences do not come to make up for the damage of maths. Quite the contrary. With a score of 488 points, France is placed last among European countries, and penultimate in the world ranking for CM1 classes.
For the 4th year classes, France comes second to last in Europe, standing ahead of Romania. With a score of 489 points, the country is not breaking records and is once again at the bottom of the ranking.
College students show more weaknesses in chemistry.
What are the solutions ?
Even if in 2018 the National Education launched the Mathematics Plan – led by Cédric Villani, deputy for Essonne, and Charles Torossian, general inspector of national education – aimed at increasing the level of students in the subject, no result is however not visible. Although there are many teachers who have received additional training, the plan has unfortunately not yet borne fruit.
Do not lose hope, we will defeat the sciences!